Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2018, $271,960)
Problem Statement: Arkansas is experiencing an increased caseload of drug cases due to the opioid epidemic. In fact, since 2015, the ASCL has seen a 22% increase in drug cases received.
Goals of the program: To improve the quality of forensic science services and timeliness of processing drug cases.
Objectives to support the goals:
1. To provide necessary equipment to the handle the increased caseload in the Drug Section
2. To provide professional development opportunities to forensic analysts and Medical Examiner staff
3. To continue the ANAB and NAME accreditation programs.
Project Strategy: To achieve objective #1, two (2) Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometers (GCMS) will be purchased. Objectives #2 and 3 will be achieved by analysts and Medical Examiner staff will attend National/Regional meetings and training seminars related to their discipline.
Anticipated Outcomes: Eliminate the bottleneck of sharing equipment to conduct drug examinations, resulting in a reduction in the backlog and turnaround time. Attendees of National/Regional meetings and training seminars will bring back quality and/or timeliness improvements that can be implemented at the ASCL.
nca/ncf